Identifying scales with the scale detective

• • What the scale detective does
• • Showing the scale detective and adjusting its sensitivity
• • Scale detection options
• • Applying the detected scale.

In this tour, you will learn how to identify, extract and use the scale of a recording with the help of the scale detective.

What the scale detective does

The scale detective captures for you the individual character of a scale. To do this, it analyzes the intervals found in the audio material as well as their implications for the mode of the scale. The result is a scale grid that represents the music analyzed in an optimal fashion. But, naturally, you are also free to edit the extracted scale as well as save it and apply it to other material — in this way imbuing a second recording with the special character of the first.

Showing the scale detective and adjusting its sensitivity

Right-click the pitch ruler and select Scale Editor > Scale Detective from the context menu.

A new column appears at the extreme left of the screen displaying the findings of the scale detective. The ‘mountains’ there represent the intervals detected: the higher the mountain, the more importance is attached by Melodyne to the role of the interval in question in the mode of the scale.

The slider at the top of the scale detective column governs the sensitivity of the analysis and with it the number of intervals detected and displayed. The intervals displayed should correspond as closely as possible to the intervals actually played. Adjust the sensitivity until only as many intervals are displayed as the scale in your view contains.

The analysis will take into consideration only the notes selected, unless no notes are selected, in which case all will be considered.

Scale detection options

A right-click on the scale detective column opens the following context menu:

• Reanalyze Scale: this command requires the scale detective to conduct a fresh analysis of the scale. The analysis will take into consideration only the notes selected, unless no notes are selected, in which case all will be considered.
• Apply Analysis: if this option is selected, the results of the analysis will invariably be applied directly to the current scale grid.
• Analysis Inserts Chromatic Intervals: if this option is selected, the intervals analyzed are supplemented chromatically by others, which are then regarded as intervals foreign to the scale (or ‘non-scale degrees’).
• Keep ... as Tonic: if you click and drag the scale detective column vertically, you can alter the tonic upon which the analysis of the audio material is based. When you do so, this option is selected automatically. The next analysis will then be based upon the tonic you have selected rather than the one indicated by Melodyne’s current analysis of the material.
• Scale Cycle: opens a dialog box that allows you to choose between a cyclic or non-cyclic analysis.

• Cyclic Scale: selects a cyclical scale analysis. You can enter the size of the cycle in cents or as a ratio: e.g. “2/1” for a scale that repeats every octave.
• Non-Cyclic Scale: selects a non-cyclic scale analysis the upper and lower limits of which in hertz (Hz) you are free to choose. The analysis will then consider only notes lying within the range specified.
• When you exit the scale cycle dialog with OK, a fresh analysis of the material will be conducted at once based upon your new settings. If, on the other hand, you select Cancel, Melodyne will revert to the existing analysis.

Applying the detected scale.

To apply the detected scale to the current scale grid, check the option ‘Apply Analysis’ in the context menu of the scale detective column on the extreme left of the screen. You can then edit, save and apply to other material your new scale just like any other.